OVERVIEW:
Join Ecuador’s most complete high-altitude expedition designed for experienced trekkers and mountaineers. Over 14 action-packed days, you’ll progressively acclimatize through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, summiting six iconic peaks: Pasochoa, Corazón, Iliniza Norte, Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. Learn critical alpine techniques through our glacier school program, and attempt three technical ascents over 5,000 meters. All climbs are led by ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified mountain guides, ensuring safety, professionalism, and a rewarding summit experience. Ideal for those aiming to elevate their skills and challenge their limits in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Arrival in Quito – Welcome Briefing & Equipment Check
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador’s high-altitude capital nestled in the Andes. Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, you’ll meet your lead mountain guide for a comprehensive expedition briefing. We’ll review the itinerary, altitude adaptation strategies, and conduct a full technical gear check.
Max Altitude
2,850 m / 9,350 ft
Meals
-
Accomodation
Ilinizas Mountain Lodge https://www.ilinizas-mountain-lodge.com/
Distance
Transfer only
Duration
~1 hour
Acclimatization Hike – Pasochoa Crater Rim (4,200 m)
Begin the acclimatization process with a hike through the lush cloud forests and open páramo landscapes of Pasochoa. This extinct volcano offers a gentle, scenic trek to the crater rim at over 4,200 meters. It’s an ideal first exposure to thin air and an opportunity to test your layering system and hydration techniques.
Max Altitude
4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Meals
Breakfast, box lunch
Accomodation
Hotel in Quito
Distance
~6 km
Duration
4–5 hours
Corazón Ascent – Scree and Ridge Training (4,786 m)
Ascend Corazón Volcano via rolling páramo and high-altitude scree fields. This climb introduces sustained hiking at altitude, developing pacing strategies and confidence on unstable terrain. The final approach offers light scrambling and panoramic views of the surrounding Andean peaks.
Max Altitude
4,786 m / 15,702 ft
Meals
box lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge
Distance
~10 km
Duration
6–7 hours
Approach to Iliniza Norte – High Camp Load Carry
Hike from El Chaupi up to Iliniza Norte’s high camp at 4,750 meters. You’ll carry your personal gear and experience the demands of high-altitude pack management. This approach sets the stage for a safe and successful summit by allowing proper rest and acclimatization.
Max Altitude
4,750 m / 15,584 ft
Meals
Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Iliniza High Camp
Distance
~5 km
Duration
4–5 hours
Iliniza Norte Summit – Technical Scrambling Day (5,126 m)
Make an alpine start to summit Iliniza Norte, one of Ecuador’s most climbed peaks. The route involves Class 3 scrambling and exposed ridge travel, requiring proper hand-foot coordination and route-finding. This is a great opportunity to apply mountaineering fundamentals on rock at altitude.
Max Altitude
5,126 m / 16,818 ft
Meals
Early breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge
Distance
~6 km
Duration
6–8 hours
Transfer to Cayambe Refuge – Entering Glacier Territory
Travel to the Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge on Cayambe Volcano. After a scenic drive, we settle into the high mountain hut and conduct a light acclimatization hike. You’ll begin adjusting to the colder environment and prepare for the glacier school ahead.
Max Altitude
4,600 m / 15,091 ft
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Cayambe Refuge
Distance
~3 hrs driving
Duration
3–4 hours
Glacier School – Essential Ice and Rope Skills
Spend the day on Cayambe’s glacier practicing technical mountaineering skills. You’ll learn proper crampon technique (French and front-pointing), ice axe arrest, roped glacier travel, snow anchor building, and belay systems. This foundational training is critical for safe summit success.
Max Altitude
4,800–5,000 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Cayambe Refuge
Distance
~3–5 km on glacier
Duration
5–6 hours
Rest and Review – Glacier Theory and Rope Systems
Use this day to rest, rehydrate, and reinforce knowledge through theory sessions. Review knots (figure-eight, clove hitch, alpine butterfly), crevasse rescue scenarios, and team communication techniques. This downtime ensures physical recovery while sharpening mental readiness.
Max Altitude
4,600 m / 15,091 ft
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Cayambe Refuge
Distance
Minimal movement
Duration
2–3 hours
Cayambe Summit – Crevasse Navigation and Ice Progression (5,790 m)
Make an alpine start to summit Cayambe. Navigate through crevasse fields using rope team strategies, then ascend icy slopes using front-point crampon techniques. Your summit push is rewarded with incredible views from the highest point on the equator. Descend and return to Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge to rest and recover.
Max Altitude
5,790 m / 18,996 ft
Meals
Light breakfast, summit snack, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Iliniza’s Mountain Lodge
Distance
~12 km
Duration
10–12 hours
Transfer to Cotopaxi Region – Recovery and Scenic Drive
After a successful glacier summit, transfer to a beautiful Andean hacienda near Cotopaxi National Park. Relax in a cozy setting, enjoy local food, and prepare for your next high-altitude challenge.
Max Altitude
~3,600 m / 11,811 ft
Meals
Breakfast, dinner
Accomodation
Hacienda near Cotopaxi
Distance
~2 hrs driving
Duration
Leisure day
Refugio José Ribas – Glacier Practice and High Camp Prep
Hike to Refugio José Ribas at 4,800 meters. In the afternoon, revisit the glacier for nighttime navigation practice and final equipment checks. This day ensures full readiness for Cotopaxi’s technical ascent.
Max Altitude
4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Refugio José Ribas
Distance
~2 km
Duration
2–3 hours
Cotopaxi Summit – Ecuador’s Iconic Cone (5,897 m)
Ascend one of the world’s most beautiful stratovolcanoes. Cotopaxi’s glacier demands rope travel, front-pointing technique, and strong pacing across steep snow and ice. Summiting at sunrise offers unforgettable views from 5,897 meters. Descend and return to your lodge to rest.
Max Altitude
5,897 m / 19,347 ft
Meals
Light breakfast, summit snack, lunch
Accomodation
Hacienda near Cotopaxi
Distance
~12 km
Duration
10–11 hours
Transfer to Chimborazo Base Camp – Final Objective Ahead
Drive to Carrel Refuge on Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak. Enjoy a restful afternoon preparing mentally and physically for the expedition’s toughest summit.
Max Altitude
4,850 m / 15,912 ft
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation
Carrel Refuge
Distance
~3 hrs driving
Duration
Leisure afternoon
Chimborazo Summit – Climbing to the Closest Point to the Sun (6,268 m)
Make a midnight departure to tackle Chimborazo’s glaciated slopes. Use rope teams, advanced pacing, and ice techniques to reach Ecuador’s highest point. Standing at 6,268 meters, you are at the closest point to the sun on Earth. Celebrate your success in Riobamba after descent.
Max Altitude
6,268 m / 20,564 ft
Meals
Light breakfast, summit snack, lunch
Accomodation
Hotel in Riobamba
Distance
~14 km
Duration
12–14 hours
SERVICES
Include
– ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified mountain guides (English & Spanish-speaking)
– All private ground transportation throughout the expedition
– All accommodation: hotels, lodges, mountain huts and refuges
– All meals as specified in the itinerary
– Use of group technical equipment (ropes, snow pickets, carabiners)
– Personal glacier gear: crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe
– Glacier school training and rope team instruction
– Park entrance fees and climbing permits
– Satellite phone and emergency radio system
– Medical kit and pulse oximeter monitoring
– Pre-expedition support and packing list assistance
Not include
– International airfare to/from Ecuador
– Travel and climbing insurance (mandatory)
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Tips for guides and staff
– Personal mountaineering clothing (boots, gloves, layers, sleeping bag, etc.)
– Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
– Early departure, evacuation, or extra nights due to weather or altitude sickness
Final Note
This 14-day expedition is more than just a trip—it’s a complete alpine experience through Ecuador’s most powerful peaks. Whether you’re preparing for Denali, the Alps, or the Himalayas, this guided journey gives you the skills, endurance, and confidence to elevate your mountaineering path. Reserve your spot today and take the next step in your summit story.
MAPS
EQUIPMENT
- Warm hat/ Wool Cap
- Sunglasses
- Buff
- Base layers
- Daypack (25–35L)
- Gloves
- Waterproof jacket
- Trekking Poles
- Trekking Pants
- Trekking boots or Shoes
- Trekking Sicks
- Fleece jacket or down jacket.
- Quick-dry shirts
- Sun hat or cap
- Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
- Headlamp
- First aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time of year to climb in Ecuador?
Our tours typically include certified guides, transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary equipment for your activities. Specific inclusions vary depending on the tour, so be sure to check the detailed itinerary.
2. Do I need previous mountaineering experience?
Not necessarily.
- For Cotopaxi: Beginners with good fitness can join a summit program if they complete acclimatization hikes and receive basic glacier training.
- For Chimborazo and Cayambe: Prior glacier experience is highly recommended due to higher altitudes and longer summit pushes.
3. How important is acclimatization?
Acclimatization is critical. To prevent altitude sickness and improve summit chances, we recommend spending 3 to 5 days hiking at altitudes above 3,000 meters before attempting any summit over 5,000 m. Our acclimatization programs are designed to help your body adjust progressively.
4. Is a certified guide required
Yes. For safety and legal reasons, glaciated peaks like Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, and Antisana require an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified mountain guide. All our guides meet this standard and have extensive experience in the Andes.
5. What gear do I need?
For glacier climbs, you need:
- Double insulated mountaineering boots
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Helmet
- Headlamp
- Warm base layers, down jacket, and waterproof outer layers
- Gloves, hat, sunglasses, backpack
We offer rental equipment if you don’t
6.What is the weather like during this trip?
Expect a mix of cool mountain weather (5–15°C / 41–59°F) in Cotopaxi and Quilotoa, and mild to warm weather (15–25°C / 59–77°F) in Baños. Rain is possible year-round, especially in the afternoons, so bring waterproof layers.
7.Can I customize or extend the itinerary?
Absolutely! You can add an extra day in Quito, continue to the Amazon or Galápagos, or upgrade accommodations. Contact us directly to customize your experience.
8. Is this tour family-friendly or suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. This tour is perfect for solo travelers, couples, families with older children (12+), and small groups. You’ll meet like-minded adventurers and be accompanied by local experts every step of the way.
9.How do I book this trip and what’s the cancellation policy?
You can book directly through our website or by contacting us via email at info@cotopaxi-travel.com or WhatsApp +593 981 333 483.
Our cancellation policy offers flexibility — free cancellation up to 15 days before departure. For full terms, visit our booking conditions.
